Learning God's Word One Verse at a Time

I've been mulling over Canada's current state of affairs recently in regards to our PM's stance on abortion, assisted suicide and our homosexual and transgender laws and find myself wavering between anger, frustration and despair. Wondering frequently, "What would Jesus do or say about what is happening in our country?"

What would He do? He would not judge. He would not show disdain. He would not be intimidated by threats from those in powerful positions and He would not be on the side of the politically correct (as evidenced by his tirade in the Temple). Therefore, He would not give in to what is acceptable to society. As a Jew, He would be mindful of the Law but as the Lord and creator of the universe, He would want to get to the truth of the matter like He did with the Samaritan woman, when He very gently confronted her about her sin. He would show compassion for all involved. He would not accuse, nor would He ridicule. He would show love, peace, joy, long-suffering (self-restraint when pushed to anger), kindness, forgiveness and self-control. He would not call someone names. He would not stand on a corner with a sign condemning someone to hell. He would not be hateful in any way shape or form. But He would talk about the issue at hand. So, without judgment, or disdain, anger, or political correctness, let us look at the truth of transgenderism with compassion and love. Using Jesus as our guide, let's talk about it.

If we are speaking the truth in love and are not blinded by political correctness we should start at the root of what is causing such anger for many in regards to the transgendered person. So let's start there. Why are women (not all women, but some women) so against sharing washrooms with men who identify with us? Quite simply we are afraid of sexual predators and pedophiles taking advantage of laws meant to be inclusive to all. Yes, it is true that sexual predators and pedophiles have always been able to get into our washrooms. However, before these new laws we could call the police and have them removed. Now the police have their hands tied if a man claims they are identifying as a woman. So, what are women to do? For if we (particularly those who have endured rape or abuse) voice our concerns over allowing men to walk into our washrooms or locker rooms, we are met with derision and scorned for our supposed transphobia. It is not transphobia that makes a woman wary of a man in their washroom, it is modesty and self-preservation. Of course, those on the left will say that transgenders aren't going to attack women and children. I'm sure they won't, but it isn't those wrestling with their gender we fear. We know that trans people are also attacked and these new laws are as much for their protection as it is for ours. But there have to be safe-guards in place, because as I said, there will be many who will try to take advantage of these new laws. Now those in the LGBT community say that will never happen. But it already has in a number of places (here, here, and here to name a few) and it will continue unless women stand up and voice their concerns. We want to feel accepted and safe too. So the right thing to do is allow us some input into how these laws play out.

Men have been dressing as women for years. They've been doing it so long it's talked about in the Bible. In fact, it's forbidden in the Bible for men to wear women's clothing and for women to wear men's clothing (Deuteronomy 22:5). Of course 2,000 years ago women's garments were all the way to their ankles covering their whole bodies, while a man's garment was to the knees. So for a woman to show her legs would be utterly scandalous. Much like it was at the beginning of the last century.

A woman's garment would also be embossed or embroidered to make it clear it was a woman's garment. Their headdresses were also a different quality and colour. So like today, if a woman's garment was worn by a man it would be noticeable and vice versa. Yet God said anyone who "cross-dressed" was detestable to Him. Perhaps the reason God said He hated anyone who cross-dressed was because they were essentially practising to deceive others. God hates liars so it stands to reason that anyone who practices deception would fall into that category. Since He made a point of addressing cross-dressing in particular it clearly was a problem back then, which indicates it was a sin problem. A choice to rebel against God and not obey His laws.

So even though cross-dressing has been going on for thousands of years, it has stayed relatively under the radar, until Bruce Jenner brought it out in the open. And yes, I "get" why those on the "left" say Bruce Jenner is courageous. It is not an easy thing to announce to the world that a once celebrated sports icon wants to be a woman. It is not an easy thing to then go out in public dressed as one, all while still sounding and looking very much like a man. That does take courage and many have lauded and applauded his actions. Yet, God would say it is sin. So how are Christians supposed to respond to that?

How would Jesus react to Bruce's decision to become Caitlyn? Jesus never sugar-coated anything. If something was on His mind that might offend others, that still wouldn't stop Him. But He had the advantage of being able to see into the heart and mind of a person. He would recognize the truth of the situation and He would call it as He sees it. He knew the Word, because ﻿He was the Word (John 1:14)﻿. So Jesus would see the heart of Bruce, not his physical appearance. And like it or not, rebellion towards God would be at the heart of the problem. Today, what the Bible calls sin, we call a mental disorder known as ﻿gender dysphoria﻿. Like He did with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus would not accuse, judge or do anything but say, "Go and sin no more." Jesus would show Bruce and all transgendered people, compassion and understanding, not ridicule. Yet, those on the left would shout loudly that to be transgendered is not a mental illness and it is certainly not a sin. But God made us male and female. Even science confirms that. This is how God created us. Jesus would see that no matter what Bruce does to change his appearance, nothing would ever change the fact that he was born a man. Jesus would want to heal him and set him on a right path, not enable him as so many are doing.

Bruce says he wants to live as the person he was born to be - a woman - so that he could stop living a lie. But God's Word says the exact opposite. As Caitlyn, Bruce is now living in rebellion against God. And because he came out so publicly, many in the world are rejoicing with him and joining in this rebellion. So much so, that women now find themselves in the ridiculous position of having to fight for the right to be heard, more than 100 years after they fought for that right in the first place. Now washrooms, locker rooms, and change rooms in clothing stores, are all approached with caution because we do not know if the guy dressed in a wig and a dress is really a transgendered person, or a man trying to take advantage of new laws protecting 1% of the population. Until laws are in place that will protect women and children from predators that will take advantage of transgendered laws, our governments need to stop pushing agendas that will, in the long run, only cause division and hurt for both sides.

In the meantime, as Christians, let us show compassion and understanding as Jesus would. Do not rail against people who are so desperately trying to fit into society. Do not judge them and do not call them names. This is not the proper behaviour of a follower of Christ. Instead, show your concern by contacting your appropriate representative in government and let them know you want the same consideration that is being given to transgenders (to provide a safe environment in which to shower or use the washroom) to be given to you. And then pray and leave the rest in the Lord's hands.